I don't have any kind of problems with the big 'affiliate' driven companies with hundreds of sites. In fact, as I stick to one medium sized niche for the most part, I'm not sure if having those crap sites out there at 39-95 a month doesn't actually help me (or rather my sites) look good and help retention. Maybe, dunno. I certainly encourage comparison of my sites with 'the big boys' on my forums and review sites. I always win
The more interesting question for me is where is all this going ?
While it's true that currently there is still enough new surfers becoming web active to feed these types of sites with the all the same-o plug-ins etc. Contrary to popular belief, I don't think that is going to last much longer. Or at least it will continue to slow down. Surfers are becoming more discriminating.
To me this looks like a classic business scenario.
"Grabbing an increasing share of a declining market is the fastest way out of business"
It all depends whether 'new surfers' is a declining market.
I think it is, and I think the new VISA/MC regs are helping this along. I think some big sponsors are going to fall, much like some processors have already fallen.
I think the big boys taking the steps outlined at the start of this and other threads are the ones going to survive the fallout.